Punjabi Music At Zohran Mamdani’s NYC Inauguration Goes Viral

Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration as New York City’s mayor on January 1 concluded on a distinctly personal note, with a live Punjabi music performance by artist Babbulicious. At 34, Mamdani was sworn in as the city’s first Muslim mayor, marking a historic moment that blended civic ceremony with cultural expression.

Born to an Indian mother and a Ugandan father of Indian origin, Mamdani has consistently leaned into his South Asian identity. Throughout his campaign, he made visible efforts to connect with the desi diaspora,from releasing a campaign video in Hindi to having the Bollywood track Dhoom Machale play during his victory speech. The Punjabi performance at his inauguration was the latest in a series of such cultural nods.

The inauguration’s musical programme featured a diverse lineup, reflecting New York’s multicultural character. DJ mOma opened the event, followed by Grammy-winning singer Lucy Dacus performing Bread and Roses. Actor Mandy Patinkin joined the PS22 Chorus of Staten Island for a rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, before Toronto-based Punjabi artist Babbulicious closed the ceremony with his song Gaddi Red Challenger.

As Babbulicious performed, Mamdani was seen dancing alongside his wife, Rama Duwaji, as hundreds of attendees joined in the celebration. Clips from the performance quickly spread across social media and while many welcomed the moment as a reflection of New York’s diversity, it also sparked backlash from some quarters online.

Several posts criticised the inclusion of Punjabi music at the inauguration, with some comments veering into misinformation and Islamophobic rhetoric. One viral post claimed the performance signalled an “Islamic takeover of America,” while others predicted public backlash. However, many users were quick to correct the narrative, pointing out that Babbulicious is a Sikh artist performing a Punjabi song, not a Muslim singer, as some critics had assumed.

Despite the online controversy, supporters argued that the performance underscored the cultural plurality that defines New York City. For Mamdani, the moment appeared to reflect both his personal heritage and a broader message about representation, inclusion and the evolving face of American political leadership.